After rookie camp, NFL rules bar Franklin from offseason practices

8:46 PM,
May 7, 2013

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Running back Johnathan Franklin, a fourth-round draft pick of the Green Bay Packers, has to miss all of the team's remaining offseason work except this weekend's mandatory minicamp because of the NFL's graduation-related rules.

But his teammate at UCLA, defensive lineman Datone Jones, can participate in all offseason work because he graduated last year. Jones was the Packers' first-round draft pick.

According to NFL rules, rookies can't take part in their new team's offseason practices, except for their rookie minicamp, until after their schools' final exams in the spring or summer. ...